Reamonster

Hi everyone, I have a 2002 Maxima 3.5L auto...I've been doing some searches on my leak, and although the high pressure hose is typically the culprit, my leak appears to be coming from a separated ring on the front of the power steering pump behind the pulley. It's hard to see, but when I feel around there's definitely a metal ring that's no longer attached to the pump, it's just hanging on there and the fluid leaks right out from the front as soon as you pour it in. Pretty sure I need a pump, however I have found nothing as far as write ups on how to do this job. I've found other ones for older Maximas, but the configuration has to be different from the 3.5L because the descriptions do not make sense. I see no way to loosen the belt driving the PS pump, as it drives directly off the crank pulley as a separate belt behind the serpentine belt. Could someone please point me in the right direction before I set this thing on fire in my driveway?

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

It should be almost exactly if not exactly the same as the 3.0.

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

http://youtu.be/L8c1ezfX4jo

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

That ring you are feeling is the snap ring that holds the oil seal and the pulley shaft in place. The pulley shaft is no longer pressing against the oil seal tightly, so you have the oil leak.

I don't know if the leak would stop if you just put the snap ring back in place. Maybe, maybe not. worth a shot.

The pump itself is probably ok. Worst case is that you have to get a seal kit and put it in.

Reamonster

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the responses. Apparently in my rush, I missed the first part in the walkthrough about removing the other drive belt, THEN removing the power steering belt; I thought they were describing a serpentine belt for everything including the PS pump. I see now what you are saying, and you're right, DennisMik it's likely the snap ring. I tried to feel it back into place, but no dice. Either way that pump is going to have to come out, and I am not happy about it...looks like a LOT of fun. One question though...why would the drive belt need to be removed? From what I see, it's not obstructing anything or preventing the pump from coming out, so why not just remove the PS pump belt and go from there?

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

This is true ... if you don't want to change the belt or at the very least inspect it then i don't see why you would take the other one off, good point

DennisMik

iTrader: (2)

Maybe you can take the pulley off the pump while the pump is on the car. Leave the belt on and tight and see if you can loosen the nut. Then loosen the belt and take the pulley off. I don't know if you can get the clip in this way, but it would give you more room.

And Like Nestorlugo said, you don't really have to take the big serpentine belt off. Just loosen the power steering pump and slip the belt off the pulley.

Reamonster

Well, I decided to go ahead and replace the pump altogether since the shaft was completely separated from the pump. Got everything apart relatively easily until that one bolt that holds the entire thing on decided it wasn't coming out. I tried an angled wrench, box end wrench, universal joints, you name it. 4 hours later that bolt has not budged, so I'm throwing in the towel and putting the part money toward someone else dealing with it. It's frustrating when I can rebuild an engine but can't get a stupid PS bolt off a Nissan. I'm chalking this up to poor design to spare my fragile ego!